Method and computer program product for creating personalized artwork

ABSTRACT

A computer program product for creating personalized artwork includes an art creation server comprising a processor, a data store, and a controller comprising a data management engine, a randomization engine, and an online shopping. Each of the controller subsystems may manipulate information in the data store. The data management engine may receive and manage art objects, including both pre-set and custom versions of the following: outline shapes, design elements, and medium settings. The randomization engine may automatically generate the personalized artwork using selected art objects. The online shopping engine may process a purchase order for a good characterized by the personalized artwork. The selected art objects, the personalized artwork, and the purchase order may be added to the information included in the data store. A production device may create the good using the information in the data store.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/157,112 filed on May 5, 2015and titled Word-Art Randomization Engine (WARE), the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of creating graphic artworkand, more specifically, to methods and a computer program product forcreating personalized artwork based on consumer-specific designconstructs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gift selection can be a daunting task because of the essentiallypersonal nature of the activity. Gift givers are often intimidated bythe prospect of selecting a gift that is not pleasing to the recipient.Even for those givers who are able to discern how a particular gift willbe perceived by the recipient, the challenge of selecting, procuring,and delivering such a gift may be time consuming, expensive, and/orstressful.

The advent of online shopping and auctions has, to a certain degree,simplified the tasks of procuring and delivering gift items. However,the sheer volume of goods and services that may be searched via theworldwide web may complicate, rather than simplify, the gift selectionprocess. Some attempts have been made to automate decision support forgift selection, but these implementations have been largely directed to“collaborative filtering,” defined as making generalized giftrecommendations based on collecting taste information from many usersand/or prior purchasing patterns. Such gift selection solutions sufferfrom the shortcomings of not truly “personalizing” the gift selection,of not being based on known likes and dislikes of the recipient, and ofnot reflecting the nature of the relationship between the giver andrecipient.

Alternative to selecting a gift, one approach to personalizing a gift isemployment of word art. As used herein, word art (also known as wordclouds) may be defined as a collection of words that make up an image.Certain automated implementations known in the art attempt topersonalize giftable goods by applying word art to such goods. The wordart may include decorative representations of words (such as familynames) that have personal meaning to the recipient.

PersonalizationMall.com® offers a “Her Heart of Love PersonalizedChristmas Cookie Jar,” which features a white cookie jar emblazoned witha heart shape made up of word art formed from consumer-specified names.However, the consumer is limited by the web-based system to only eightnames. Nor is the consumer offered any selectable word art choices forshape, font, or color choice. Nor is the consumer allowed to specify anysymbols.

YouFrameCanvas.com (also referred to as YFCanvas.com) offers a textmontage printed to a canvas. However, the consumer is offered no previewof the work art including the consumer-specified words, nor selectablechoices for symbol, text orientation, and text color. Nor does theproduced canvas feature full wrap at the edges.

The word art builder of Yourperfectcanvas.com empowers a consumer toselect shapes, fonts, colors to create a one off original design. Theuser may repeat the design process and preview as many times as desiredbefore ordering. However, the user cannot save previews betweensessions, and is limited to up to 150 words per design, and the pop-upmenus for design parameters is cumbersome to use.

Photographicgifts.com offers a personalized word art print illustratedwith an image of a castle atop a hill. Set within the walls of thecastle are a collection of consumer-specified words. The consumer isoffered a choice of colors. The resultant print may be produced, alongwith a variety of colored frames and a plastic sheet for protection.However, this implementation offers the consumer no preview, and onlyrudimentary overlapping options.

Beyondaword.com.au offers personalized canvas art produced to customerselections of system-specified canvas size, shape, background color,multiple type colors, and font style from many choices. However, thecustom art object options of the consumer are limited to words andphotographs.

Tagxedo.com is a pure word art creator (no emblazoning on various mediato produce giftable goods). Therefore, this implementation offers theconsumer less extensive customization and pre-set parameters. However,Tagxedo.com does include some application-specific features, such asusing a consumer's Facebook® profile to generate a personal word-artimage.

What is needed is a product that is not only capable of collectingpersonal information about an intended recipient of a gift and thenautomatically creating a personalized work of art as the gift, but alsothat is rich in design capabilities without sacrificing ease of use.Such a system would be capable of creating the personalized work of arteither as a stand-alone good (either digital or physical), or as a workof art produced in combination with a physical gift item. The systemshould also support both pre-set and user-custom art objects that may beeasily layered by a layman user to create production-quality artwork.More specifically, such a system should allow consumer specification ofart objects including outline shape (including overlays), designelements (including orientation), and medium setting (including bothregular and irregular display surfaces). The system should allow theconsumer to quickly and easily preview multiple iterations of a designin progress, and also to save previews between sessions. Such a systemshould respond to acceptance of a design in progress by automaticallyprocessing a purchase transaction, optionally upselling to the consumer,and spawning the production of good, as ordered, that features thedesign. The system should also be available both to direct consumers andalso through third parties by virtue of an application programminginterface (API)

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that anyof the preceding information constitutes prior art against the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are relatedto a computer program product for creating personalized artwork. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the computer program product mayinclude a web-based application configured to advantageously create andsell gifts that may feature pre-set designs into which a consumer mayadd personalization information such as, for example, and withoutlimitation, name, initials, date, sentiment, and photographs.

The computer program product comprises some combination of an artcreation server comprising a processor, a data store, and a controllercomprising a data management engine, a randomization engine, and anonline shopping. Each of the controller subsystems may manipulateinformation in the data store. The data management engine receives andmanages art objects, including both pre-set and custom versions of thefollowing: outline shapes, design elements, and medium settings. Therandomization engine automatically generates the personalized artworkusing selected art objects. The online shopping engine processes apurchase order for a good characterized by the personalized artwork. Theselected art objects, the personalized artwork, and the purchase orderare added to the information included in the data store. A productiondevice creates the good using the information in the data store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a personalized artwork creationsystem (PACS) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary data structures of the PACSdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed by a computerprogram product for creating personalized artwork according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary user interface ofthe computer program product according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary personalizedartwork as created by the computer program product according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an exemplary user interface ofthe computer program product as employed to create the exemplarypersonalized artwork of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an exemplary personalizedartwork created by the computer program product according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an exemplary user interface ofthe computer program product as employed to create the exemplarypersonalized artwork of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9-14 are schematic representations of exemplary personalizedartwork as created by a computer program product according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those ofordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are notintended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the presentinvention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons havingthe benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that many variations and alterations to the following detailsare within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the followingembodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss ofgenerality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimedinvention.

In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilledin the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,”“upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience ofthe reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in theart should notice this description may contain other terminology toconvey position, orientation, and direction without departing from theprinciples of the present invention.

Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the artshould note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,”“substantially,” “mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to meanthat the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes amajority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of theseterms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and themeaning may be expressly modified.

An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the variousfigures and accompanying text, provides a personalized artwork creationsystem (PACS) according to an embodiment of the present invention is nowdescribed in detail. Throughout this disclosure, the present inventionmay be referred to as an artwork creation system, a personalized artworksystem, an artwork design system, a computer-based artwork creationsystem, a word art system, a word cloud system, a design system, anartwork system, a computer program product, a computer program, aproduct, a system, a device, and a method. Furthermore, the presentinvention may be referred to as relating to the implementation of anautomated solution for creating personalized artwork. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that this terminology does not affect the scopeof the invention. For instance, the present invention may just as easilyrelate to the implementation of artwork generally, abstract designs, andrandomized designs.

Referring to FIGS. 1-15, example methods and systems for a personalizedartwork creation system (PACS) are described herein below. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exampleembodiments. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill inthe art that the present invention may be practiced without thesespecific details and/or with different combinations of the details thanare given here. Thus, specific embodiments are given for the purpose ofsimplified explanation and not limitation. Some of the illustrativeaspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving theproblems herein described and other problems not discussed which arediscoverable by a skilled artisan.

Embodiments of the present invention may be employed to design andadvantageously create word cloud gifts (personalized artwork pieces)that may be characterized by a theme and that may allow forpersonalization by adding a recipient's name or meaningful message, andalso for customization of parameters applied to art objects (includingfonts, shapes and designs) used in the artwork. With hundreds ofpossible, word and cloud art gifts are truly unique in nature.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the PACS 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will now be discussed in greater detail. An embodimentof the invention, as shown and described by the various figures andaccompanying text, provides an PACS 100 that may implement an automatedmethod of creating consumer-defined and/or personalized artwork. ThePACS may generally comprise two logical sub-implementations: acustomer-facing front end and a gift-creating production end.

The front end (customer-facing) may assemble multiple layers of artobjects in real time and may operate to generate a preview of thepersonalized artwork that the consumer has defined. The art objectlayers may include the following: medium (e.g., apparel, canvas);outline shape (e.g., polygon, circle); design elements (e.g.,fixed/static images like background or graphic elements, word artimagery such as font and orientation, and overlays that superimpose theword art and/or upon which the word art may be superimposed); anddynamic input from the consumer (e.g., simple text like title or familyname, and/or a photograph).

For example, and without limitation, this front end may be managedthrough a proprietary set of Javascript commands that may optimizeimagery in real time to generate two outputs: one low-resolution,work-in-progress image that may be displayed to the consumer, and onehigh-resolution image that may be used for production purposes.

The production end may use the output of a consumer's accepted word artorder (essentially production-ready art files) and may either deliverthis personalized artwork as is (e.g., digital file) or manageindividual layers of the personalized artwork to be used in productionof word art goods. For example, and without limitation, good productiondevices used may include wide-format sublimation and canvas printers,digital printers, and CO₂ laser etching machines (note: the latter mayuse only monochromatic output files).

For example, and without limitation, the front and production ends ofthe PACS 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention, maybe configured to include an Art Creation Server 101, which may be indata communication with an Administrator Client 110, a Consumer client120, an Art Object Server 130, and a Production Device 180. For example,and without limitation, the Art Object Server 130 may be a third-partycontent server. The Administrator Client 110, Consumer client 120, Artobject server 130, and Production Device 180 each may be coupled to theArt Creation Server 101 using a wide area network 150 such as theInternet. The Art Creation Server 101 also may be in data communicationwith various third-party Art Object Sources 140 through the Art ObjectServer 130 and/or through the Internet 150 directly.

In a front end configuration, the Art Creation Server 101 may beconfigured to receive and process personalized artwork design requeststhat may originate at some number of Consumer clients 120, 122, 124. Forexample, and without limitation, the Art Creation Server 101 may beconfigured to service hundreds of personalized artwork design requestsper minute, and may be scalable.

For example, and without limitation, either of the Administrator Client110 and the Consumer clients 120, 122, 124 may comprise a web browserand a communication application. “Web browser” as used herein includes,but is not limited to, any application software or program (includingmobile applications) designed to enable users to access online resourcesand conduct trusted transactions over a wide network such as theInternet. “Communication” as used herein includes, but is not limitedto, electronic mail (email), instant messaging, mobile applications,personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a fax, a cellular telephone,a conventional telephone, television, video telephone conferencingdisplay, other types of radio wave transmitter/transponders and otherforms of electronic communication. For example, and without limitation,the Administrator Client 110 and the Consumer clients 120, 122, 124 maybe configured to execute web applications designed to function on anycross-platform web server running Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Those skilledin the art will recognize that other forms of communication known in theart are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

A typical user of an Administrator Client 110 may be a contributor tothe process of creating and staging art objects for subsequent use byconsumers to create their own personalized artwork. For example, andwithout limitation, PACS 100 users may include subject matter experts indesign and creation of digital graphic artifacts. Such a user mayinteract with various servers included in the PACS 100 through theAdministrator Client 110.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the Art Creation Server 101 may comprisea processor 102 that may accept and execute computerized instructions,and also a data store 103 which may store data and instructions used bythe processor 102. More specifically, the processor 102 may beconfigured in data communication with the Administrator Client 110, somenumber of Consumer clients 120, 122, 124, the Art Object Server 130, andthe Production Device 180. Certain Consumer clients 120, 122 maycommunicate directly with the Art Creation Server 101 using a directconnection and/or network connection 150. Other Consumer clients 124 maycommunicate indirectly with the Art Creation Server 101 through anintermediary Third Party Server 170 (e.g., the Art Creation Server 101may serve as an application programming interface to complimentaryapplications executing on the Third Party Server 170). The processor 102may be configured to direct input from other components of the PACS 100to the data store 103 for storage and subsequent retrieval.

For example, and without limitation, the processor 102 may be in datacommunication with external computing resources 110, 120, 122, 124, 130,140, 170, 180 through a direct connection and/or through a networkconnection 150 facilitated by a network interface 109. Data ManagementEngine 104 instructions, Randomization Engine 105 instructions, andOnline Shopping Engine 106 instructions may be stored in the data store103 and retrieved by the processor 102 for execution. The DataManagement Engine 104 instructions, Randomization Engine 105instructions, and Online Shopping Engine 106 instructions may becollectively referred to herein as a controller 160. Although the datastore 103 of FIG. 1 is shown as local storage, a skilled artisan willrecognize that the data store 103 may alternatively, or in addition,comprise one or both of server-based storage and cloud storage.

The Data Management Engine 104, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, may be configured to advantageously manage the creation,selection, and employment of art objects within the system, includingelectronic the upload and export among the various servers and clientsof the system 100.

The Randomization Engine 105, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, may be configured to advantageously create bothwork-in-progress and production-ready versions of personalized artworkbased on consumer input. More specifically, and referring additionallyto FIG. 2, the Randomization Engine 105 may operate to apply the artobjects (e.g., dynamic input 141, medium settings 142, outline shapes143, and design elements 144) as specified by the consumer, whileautomatically resolving any conflicting constraints among these artobjects.

The Online Shopping Engine 106, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, may be configured to advantageously process trustedtransactions regarding the purchase and delivery of ordered goodsfeaturing approved personalized artwork. Successful purchase may alsospawn a process to create the ordered good using an available productiondevice 180.

Exemplary operations of the Data Management Engine 104, theRandomization Engine 105, and the Online Shopping Engine 106 aredescribed individually in greater detail below. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate, however, that the present invention contemplates theuse of computer instructions that may perform any or all of theoperations involved in personalized artwork creation, including versioncontrol, content searching, customer records administration, and productdelivery. The disclosure of computer instructions that include DataManagement Engine 104 instructions, Randomization Engine 105instructions, and Online Shopping Engine 106 instructions is not meantto be limiting in any way. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that stored computer instructions may be configured in anyway, and independent of choice of platform, while still accomplishingthe many goals, features and advantages according to the presentinvention.

Irrespective of the specifics of stored computer instructions and theirimplementation, the computer program product 100 may generally includean interface 110, a data store 103, and a controller 160. A person ofskill in the art will appreciate that use of the term “data store”within this disclosure is intended to encompass multiple databases, andis used generally to refer to a data structure that may store data orinformation.

The computer program product 100, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, may be capable of presenting an interface 110 to auser (sometimes referred to throughout this disclosure as anadministrator). The interface 110 may be designed to collect informationrequired to build artwork. For example, and without limitation, theinterface 110 may be capable of creating, retrieving, modifying, andstoring art objects for subsequent use by consumers.

The interface 110 may allow an administrator to manipulate theinformation Included in the data store 103, which may be accessed usingthe interface 110. A person of skill in the art will appreciate thatadditional interfaces 110 may be used to prepare and control howconsumers may engage the system 100. For example, and withoutlimitation, the one or more interfaces 110 may be connected remotelyover a network to the art creation server 101. The interface 110 mayinclude one or more subset interfaces, through each of which anadministrator may manipulate the information included in the data store103. For example, the interface 110 may include artwork creationinterface, an access control interface, a user login interface, and/orany number of additional interfaces through which the computer programproduct 100 may be interacted. Also, any of the aforementioned subsetinterfaces may include additional interfaces through which a user mayinteract with the computer program product 100, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The function of the aforementionedinterfaces will be further discussed below.

In addition to interoperation with the interface 110, the data store 103may communicate with the controller 160, as well as with othercomponents. The data store 103 may include one or more subset databases,which may include information that may be manipulated by a user, such asa process architect. The data store 103 may additionally include digitalfiles, templates, and other data that may be used by the controller 160to create personalized artwork.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, and referring additionally to FIG. 2, theArt Creation Server 101 may retrieve art objects, and may write to thedata store 103 the digital content files representing those objects. Forexample, and without limitation, the Art object server 130 may process arequest from one or more of the controller 160 subsystems 104, 105, 106of the PACS 100 to download a copy of a particular art object 140. Theembodiment of art object sources 140 illustrated in FIG. 2 shows examplestructures of art objects that may be included in a particular datadelivery. Employment of networking may permit the controller 160subsystems 104, 105, 106 of the PACS 100 to retrieve objects fromthird-party art object sources 140, thereby enhancing the timeliness andcompleteness of data used by the system 100. Although the embodiment ofthe invention discussed herein describes the art object creation,modification, and adornment functionality performed by the subsystems104, 105, 106 of the PACS 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, those skilled inthe art will readily appreciate that stored computer instructions may beconfigured in any way while still accomplishing the many goals, featuresand advantages according to the present invention.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, for example, and without limitation, thedata structure for a project 141 will now be discussed. A project 141may be defined as a system identifier for an individual session duringwhich a consumer may engage the system 100 to create a particular pieceof personalized artwork. A project 141 may comprise customer and/oraccount identifying data, purchase detail (e.g., payment confirmation),and dynamic input that the consumer may wish to include in the desiredpersonalized artwork. For example, and without limitation, the dynamicinput for a particular project 140 may include text (e.g., a recipient'sname) and/or a photograph (e.g., uploaded digital image of therecipient). Such input may be incorporated by the system 100 into designelements 144, and/or derived into multiple.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, for example, and without limitation, thedata structure for a medium setting 142 will now be discussed. A mediumsetting 142 may be defined as a type of medium onto which personalizedartwork is to be emblazoned. For example, and without limitation, amedium setting 142 may specify the target medium type as being a canvas,an apparel item, a regular surface item (e.g., flat picture frame), anirregular surface item (e.g., curved coffee mug). Also for example, andwithout limitation, the target medium type may simply be a digital file(e.g., screen saver). Each choice of medium setting may come with itsown constraints that may be taken into account by the RandomizationEngine 105 (e.g., available print space, medium-specific boundarycharacteristics, application requirements such as monochromatic outputfiles that may support laser printing).

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, for example, and without limitation, thedata structure for an outline shape 143 will now be discussed. Anoutline shape 143 may be defined as a dominant shape into which word artis to conform to create the personalized artwork. For example, andwithout limitation, an outline shape 143 may comprise any polygon orellipse. Also for example, and without limitation, the outline shape 143may be customized to conform to any digitally-represented shape (e.g.,dog paw print, silhouette portrait). Also for example, and withoutlimitation, the outline shape 143 may comprise an overlay that maysuperimpose the word art or upon which the word art may be superimposed.Each choice of outline shape 143 may come with its own constraints thatmay be taken into account by the Randomization Engine 105 (e.g.,available print space, shape-specific boundary characteristics, visualacuity factor).

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, for example, and without limitation, thedata structure for a design element 144 will now be discussed. A designelement 144 may be defined as a characteristic applied to a dynamicinput or other adornment to be included in a personalized artwork. Forexample, and without limitation, a design element 144 may include somecombination of fonts, colors, and orientations for word art. Also forexample, and without limitation, a design element may include graphicsand/or images that may be used to adorn the word art within thepersonalized artwork. Each choice of design element 144 may come withits own constraints that may be taken into account by the RandomizationEngine 105 (e.g., available print space, visual acuity factor, themecompliance)

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present inventioncontemplates the use of data structures that may store informationsupporting any or all of the operations involved in deliveringpersonalized artwork to a consumer. The disclosure of the exemplary datastructures above is not meant to be limiting in any way. Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that data structures may include anynumber of additional or alternative data sources, and may be configuredin any way while still accomplishing the many goals, features andadvantages according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as a method aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention, an exemplary process of creating a project site 382 throughadministrator interaction with the computer program product 100,generally. A person of skill in the art will appreciate the followingembodiment is not intended to be limiting, and that alternateprogramming configurations are included within the scope and spirit ofthe present invention.

Referring to the flowchart 300 of FIG. 3, an illustrative method aspectof the present invention is now described in greater detail. A person ofskill in the art will appreciate that the following method aspect isprovided in the interest of clarity, and also will appreciate additionalmethod aspects are within the scope of the present invention included inthis disclosure.

Starting at Block 301, a consumer may be authenticated into the system100 through a user login interface (not shown) that may execute on aconsumer client 120. The Data Management Engine 104 may monitor theconsumer client 120 for input (Blocks 305 and 307). Depending on theinput detected at Block 305, the Data Management Engine 104 may create anew artwork project or retrieve some previously-saved artwork project(Block 310). The consumer then may be allowed, at Block 315, to choosebetween input of self-directed art objects input by the consumer andemployment of pre-set art objects that may be provided by the system100. For example, and without limitation, a pre-set selection maycomprise consumer selection of a word-art item of choice (e.g., pointingand clicking on a gift item to match the consumer's needs, such as agraduation gift).

If the consumer chooses to employ pre-sets, the system 100 may retrievefrom the data store 103, for example, and without limitation, an outlineshape (Block 320), a design element (Block 322), and/or a Medium Setting(Block 324). Alternatively, if the consumer chooses not to employpre-sets, the system 100 may prompt the user to input, for example, andwithout limitation, custom, user-defined art objects including anoutline shape (Block 330), a design element (Block 332), and/or a mediumsetting (Block 334). Whether pre-set or custom, or some combination ofthe two types, parameters such as color, text orientation, canvas size,and the like may be captured in the above steps.

At Block 340, the consumer may be prompted by the system 100 to enterdynamic input (e.g., enter into requested fields primary title, such aslast name of the recipient, along with a selection of meaningful namesand symbols to add to the artwork). Using the outline shape (from Block320 or 330), the design element (from Block 322 or 332), the mediumsetting (from Block 324 or 334), and the personalized dynamic input ofthe consumer (form Block 340), the randomization engine 105 may create alow-resolution rendering of the personalized artwork for display to theconsumer at the consumer client 120. For example, and withoutlimitation, creation of a first low-resolution rendering may be spawnedby the consumer pressing a ‘preview’ button at the consumer client 120.If the displayed rendering is not to the consumer's liking and/or taste,the consumer may press ‘preview’ again to cause the Randomization Engine105 to create a different rendering using the same input values (i.e.,art objects). At any time during the process 300, the consumer may beempowered to selectively save personalized artwork to the data store 103as a “work in progress” (Blocks 355 and 360). Alternatively, or inaddition, the system 100 may auto-cache up to three (3) work in progressartworks. A person of skill in the art will recognize the performancegains in involved computing resources both by using low-resolutionrenderings to support the preview process, and by caching previews forquick and low-cost retrieval.

If, at Block 365, the consumer elects not to accept the personalizedartwork as displayed in the form of the low-resolution rendering, theData Management Engine 104 may prefill the various input fields (e.g.,outline shape, design element, medium setting, and dynamic input) as astarting point for the consumer (Block 370) before allowing the consumerto revise the work-in-progress project starting back at Block 310. Thislooping through process 300, making selective use of pre-set art objectsand/or custom, user-directed art objects (Block 315), may continue untilthe consumer ultimately accepts a version of the personalized artworkthat is to the consumer's liking (Block 365).

Acceptance of the personalized artwork by the consumer triggersprocessing of a shopping transaction (Block 380) by the Online ShoppingEngine 106. For example, and without limitation, the Online ShoppingEngine 106 may employ e-business constructs such as management of anonline shopping cart, upselling based on consumer consumers' custominput and/or pre-set selections, and also calculation of productpricing, taxes, and shipping. Upon successful completion of the purchasetransaction, at Block 390 the system 100 may engage a production device180 to generate the ordered item (e.g., a good featuring ahigh-resolution rendering of the personalized artwork). For example, andwithout limitation, the personalized artwork may be printed or etchedonto a giftable good. The operation of the computer program product 100may then terminate at Block 399.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic representation 400 is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for a modelinterface for a consumer to interact with the computer program product100. Although the following example interface presents a model structurefor interaction with the project interface 400 of the computer programproduct 100, a person of skill in the art will appreciate additionalrelated interfaces to be included in this disclosure, with options andfeatures relative to their respective purposes, that allow theinteraction between additional design and configuration interfaces ofthe computer program product 100 and the consumer. Additionally, aperson of skill in the art will appreciate alternate functional andstylistic combinations of various fields and components, in addition tothe fields and components discussed in the example below, which would beincluded within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Generally speaking, the capability-rich yet easy-to-use interfacepresented at a consumer client 120, 122, 124 may empower the consumer toaccomplish the following toward design and utilization of personalizeartwork:

1) Design controls that may be either fixed in a design or exposed tothe consumer for selection, such as

(a) Choose outline shape (heart, star, ribbon, etc.)

(b) Color palette (individual or groups of colors)

(c) Font choices (individual or groups of fonts)

(d) Inclusion of symbols into word-art designs

(e) Ability to specify size of output file

(f) Ability to regenerate images until one is found that is preferred.

2) Comingle fixed elements with variable elements

(a) Some designs may feature fixed elements, like the trunk of a tree ina ‘family tree’ design, or a wedding ring in a wedding themed design.The word art may flow around these elements, through the use of layersas described above.

(b) Ability to add a background image or photograph

(c) Ability to build designs that include a ‘mask’ over the word art tocreate an effect in which the words of the word-art design are cut offartfully

(d) Ability to send the artwork to a variety of output devices incompatible formats, including PDF, Corel Draw®, InDesign®, vectorartwork and more.

Still referring to FIG. 4, and continuing to refer to FIG. 2, theinterface 400 allows for entry of dynamic input 141 (Enter text 430), ofoutline shape 143 (Shape 420), and multiple design elements 144 (Texttype 410, Width 440, Height 450, Fonts Used 460, 490, Text orientation470, and Use Random Colors option 480).

Referring now to FIG. 5, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design 500 that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into a polygonal (e.g., cross)shape on a regular (flat) medium. The entered name (as illustrated,‘Shultz’) may be surrounded by repeating and visually-random placed textthat may appear in a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors, and alsoeither horizontal or vertical orientation (or both), along with selectedsymbols (hearts).

Referring now to FIG. 6, and continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 and 5, theInterface 600 allows for entry of dynamic input 141 (Any Message 520,Religious Phrases 530), and multiple design elements 144 (Symbols 540,Text direction 550). The of outline shape 143 of a cross may be apre-set value for the selected theme. In one embodiment, after theconsumer identifies 560 an acceptable work art compilation, the consumermay select the Add To Cart button 570. This action may automaticallysave the design into the consumer's online shopping cart. To see anotherrendition of the work art compilation, the consumer may select the ViewYour Personalization 560 button again to automatically create anotherversion for review. Once the consumer is satisfied with the design, theconsumer may select the Add To Cart button 570 to initiate an onlinepurchase trusted transaction.

A person of skill in the art will recognize that the personalizedartwork may be applied to a variety of fabricated products including awide range of gift items such as, for example, and without limitation,apparel (FIG. 14), home décor (FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 11), seasonal itemslike ornaments and stockings, barware and kitchenware (FIGS. 12 and 13),jewelry and more.

Referring now to FIG. 7, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design 700 that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into custom (e.g., dog pawprint) shape on a regular (flat) medium. The entered name (asillustrated, ‘Bella’) may be surrounded by repeating and visually-randomplaced text that may appear in a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors,and also either horizontal or vertical orientation (or both), along withselected symbols (hearts).

Referring now to FIG. 8, and continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 and 7, theinterface 800 allows for entry of dynamic input 141 (Pet's Name 725,Phrases about pet 735), medium settings 142 (Canvas Size 715, Canvasthickness 720), and multiple design elements 144 (Title color 730,Symbols 740, Text direction 750). For example, and without limitation,the system 100 may offer ten (10) color schemes, nine (9) of which thesystem 100 may pre-select to coordinate with the consumer's pet's namepresented in dark brown. Alternatively, the consumer may select theCustom option which will allow the consumer to select up to five (5)colors and to create one's own color scheme.

The outline shape 143 of a dog paw may be a pre-set value for theselected theme, in one embodiment, after the consumer identifies 755 anacceptable work art compilation, the consumer may select the Add To Cartbutton 760. This action may automatically save the design into theconsumer's online shopping cart. To see another rendition of the workart compilation, the consumer may select the View Your Personalization755 button again to automatically create another version for review.Once the consumer is satisfied with the design, the consumer may selectthe Add To Cart button 760 to initiate an online purchase trustedtransaction.

Referring now to FIG. 9, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into a wall-hanging made ofwrapped canvas. The entered name (as illustrated, ‘Walker’) may besurrounded by repeating and visually-random placed text that may appearin a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors, and also either horizontal orvertical orientation (or both), along with selected symbols.

Referring now to FIG. 10, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into a medium having a regularsurface (e.g., flat canvas of the selected size and thickness). Theentered theme phrases (as illustrated, ‘Couple,’ ‘Hug,’ ‘Kiss,’ ‘Love,’‘Be Mine’) may be surrounded by repeating and visually-random placedtext that may appear in a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors, and alsoeither horizontal or vertical orientation (or both) depending on textdirection setting. Subsequently, a pre-set outline shape of overlay type(featuring the artistic display of “LOVE” as illustrated), may beapplied to mask all but the word art unobscured due to the overlayvoids.

Referring now to FIG. 11, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into a home décor item (i.e.,picture frame, with centered digital photograph). The entered name (asillustrated, ‘The Thompsons’) may be surrounded by repeating andvisually-random placed text that may appear in a variety of fonts,sizes, and colors, and also either horizontal or vertical orientation(or both), along with selected symbols (e.g., hearts).

Referring now to FIG. 12, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into kitchenware item (i.e.,cutting board). The entered name (as illustrated, ‘Mom’) may besurrounded by repeating and visually-random placed text that may appearin a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors, and also either horizontal orvertical orientation (or both), along with selected symbols (e.g.,hearts).

Referring now to FIG. 13, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into kitchenware item (i.e.,coffee cup). The entered name (as illustrated, ‘Becker’) may besurrounded by repeating and visually-random placed text that may appearin a variety of fonts, sizes, and colors, and also either horizontal orvertical orientation (or both), along with selected symbols (e.g.,hearts), and emblazoned on an irregular (curved) surface.

Referring now to FIG. 14, for example and without limitation, after aconsumer may supply personalization data, the randomization Engine 105may generate a randomized design that includes a word-cloud of thatconsumer's input values as incorporated into an apparel item (i.e.,necktie). The entered name (as illustrated, ‘Dad’) may be surrounded byrepeating and visually-random placed text that may appear in a varietyof fonts, sizes, and colors, and also either horizontal or verticalorientation (or both), along with selected symbols, and bounded by anoutline shape generally coextensive with the necktie itself.

In yet another embodiment (not shown, but similar to the interfaces andpersonalized art results described above), a ‘Couples Names’ word artdesign may be created and ordered as follows:

Step 1: Enter the couples names into the Couples Names box. The couple'snames will appear in the center of the design. Example: ‘Emma & Joshua’

Step 2: Enter word art text: This is the text the consumer may like toappear layered and randomized around the couple's names. An initial listmay be provided by the system 100 to help start the process. However,the consumer may add, change and remove the supplied text. The system100 may prompt the consumer to include important dates and places orwords with special meaning, in keeping with the theme. The system 100may also enforce art object 140 constraints (e.g., each name or phraseon theft individual line; limit of 20 character/spaces per name; limitof 20 lines of names). Example:

Forever

Oct. 15, 2015

True Love

Step 3: Select the View Your Personalization button to automaticallygenerate word art design.

Step 4: Display Word-Art design. Consumer may select Preview again tosee another version and/or to adjust the words within the word art tomake the necessary corrections and repeat Steps 3 and 4.

Step 5: Select the Accept the personalization check box and Add to Cart.

A skilled artisan will note that one or more of the aspects of thepresent invention may be performed on a computing device. The skilledartisan will also note that a computing device may be understood to beany device having a processor, memory unit, input, and output. This mayinclude, but is not intended to be limited to, cellular phones, smartphones, kiosks, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers,personal digital assistants, etc. FIG. 15 illustrates a model computingdevice in the form of a computer 810, which is capable of performing oneor more computer-implemented steps in practicing the method aspects ofthe present invention. Components of the computer 810 may include, butare not limited to, a processing unit 820, a system memory 830, and asystem bus 821 that couples various system components including thesystem memory to the processing unit 820. The system bus 821 may be anyof several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, sucharchitectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI).

The computer 810 may also include a cryptographic unit 825. Briefly, thecryptographic unit 825 has a calculation function that may be used toverify digital signatures, calculate hashes, digitally sign hash values,and encrypt or decrypt data. The cryptographic unit 825 may also have aprotected memory for storing keys and other secret data. In otherembodiments, the functions of the cryptographic unit may be instantiatedin software and run via the operating system.

A computer 810 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a computer 810 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may include computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASHmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by a computer 810. Communication media typically embodiescomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 830 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 831and random access memory (RAM) 832. A basic input/output system 833(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 810, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 831. RAM 832 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 820. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 15 illustrates an operating system (OS) 834,application programs 835, other program modules 836, and program data837.

The computer 810 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 15 illustrates a hard disk drive 841 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 851that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 852,and an optical disk drive 855 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 856 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 841 is typically connectedto the system bus 821 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 840, and magnetic disk drive 851 and optical disk drive 855are typically connected to the system bus 821 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 850.

The drives, and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 15, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 810. In FIG. 15, for example, hard disk drive 841 isillustrated as storing an OS 844, application programs 845, otherprogram modules 846, and program data 847. Note that these componentscan either be the same as or different from OS 833, application programs833, other program modules 836, and program data 837. The OS 844,application programs 845, other program modules 846, and program data847 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum,they may be different copies. A user may enter commands and informationinto the computer 810 through input devices such as a keyboard 862 andcursor control device 861, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball ortouch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone,joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These andother input devices are often connected to the processing unit 820through a user input interface 860 that is coupled to the system bus,but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 891or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 821via an interface, such as a graphics controller 890. In addition to themonitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices suchas speakers 897 and printer 896, which may be connected through anoutput peripheral interface 895.

The computer 810 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer880. The remote computer 880 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 810, although only a memory storage device 881 has beenillustrated in FIG. 15. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 15include a local area network (LAN) 871 and a wide area network (WAN)873, but may also include other networks 140. Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 810 is connectedto the LAN 871 through a network interface or adapter 870. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 810 typically includes amodem 872 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN873, such as the Internet. The modem 872, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 821 via the user inputinterface 860, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 810, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 15 illustrates remoteapplication programs 885 as residing on memory device 881.

The communications connections 870 and 872 allow the device tocommunicate with other devices. The communications connections 870 and872 are an example of communication media. The communication mediatypically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has oneor more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Computer readable media may includeboth storage media and communication media.

Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may beadvantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problemsnot discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

While the above description contains much specificity, these should notbe construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but asexemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many otherramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of thevarious embodiments. While the invention has been described withreference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodimentdisclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out thisinvention, but that the invention will include all embodiments fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and thedescription, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of theinvention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they areunless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore notbeing so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. donot denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, theuse of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, butrather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product embodied in anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium for creatingpersonalized artwork comprising: an art creation server comprising aprocessor, a data store, and a controller comprising a plurality ofsubsystems including a data management engine, a randomization engine,and an online shopping engine; wherein each of the plurality ofsubsystems is configured to manipulate information included in the datastore; wherein the data management engine is configured to receive aplurality of art objects; wherein the randomization engine is furtherconfigured to automatically generate a low-resolution rendering of thepersonalized artwork and display the low-resolution rendering on adisplay screen; and wherein the low-resolution rendering is configuredto be edited by a user; wherein the randomization engine is configuredto automatically generate the personalized artwork by selectivelylayering a subset of the plurality of art objects, defined as selectedart objects; wherein the online shopping engine is configured to processa purchase order for a good characterized by the personalized artworkand of a good type selected from the group consisting of a physicalobject and a digital file; wherein the data store is configured to storethe selected art objects, the personalized artwork, and the purchaseorder to the information included in the data store; and wherein aproduction device is configured to create the good to include ahigh-resolution rendering of the personalized artwork using theinformation in the data store; and wherein the good is one of a canvas,apparel item, regular surface item, and irregular surface item.
 2. Thecomputer program product according to claim 1 wherein the datamanagement engine is further configured to retrieve from the pluralityof art objects a pre-set outline shape, a pre-set design element, and apre-set medium setting.
 3. The computer program product according toclaim 2 further comprising an art object server configured in datacommunication with the art creation server via the network; wherein thedata management engine is further configured to retrieve at least one ofthe pre-set outline shape, the pre-set design element, and the pre-setmedium setting from the art object server.
 4. The computer programproduct according to claim 1 further comprising a consumer clientconfigured in data communication with the art creation server via anetwork; wherein the consumer client is configured to operate the datamanagement engine to include in the selected art objects at least one ofa custom outline shape, a custom design element, and a custom mediumsetting.
 5. The computer program product according to claim 4 whereinthe consumer client is further configured operate the data managementengine to include in the selected art objects at least one designelement of a type selected from the group consisting of user-specifiedtext and user-specified image, defined as dynamic input.
 6. The computerprogram product according to claim 1 further comprising a consumerclient configured in data communication with the art creation server viaa network; wherein the consumer client is configured to operate theonline shopping engine to purchase the good.
 7. The computer programproduct according to claim 1 wherein each of the selected art objects isof an object type selected from the group consisting of a mediumsetting, an outline shape, and a design element.
 8. The computer programproduct according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the selected artobjects comprises one of a textual object and a photo object.
 9. Amethod for creating personalized artwork using a computer programproduct that includes an art creation server comprising a processor, adata store, and a controller comprising a plurality of subsystemsincluding a data management engine, a randomization engine, and anonline shopping engine, wherein each of the plurality of subsystems isconfigured to manipulate information included in the data store, themethod comprising: receiving, using the data management engine, aplurality of art objects; automatically generating, using therandomization engine, the personalized artwork by selectively layering asubset of the plurality of art objects, defined as selected art objects;and wherein the randomization engine is configured to automaticallygenerate a low-resolution rendering of the personalized artwork on adisplay screen; and wherein the low-resolution rendering is configuredto be edited by a user; processing, using the online shopping engine, apurchase order for a good characterized by the personalized artwork andof a good type selected from the group consisting of a physical objectand a digital file; operating the data store to store the selected artobjects, the personalized artwork, and the purchase order to theinformation included in the data store; and creating, using a productiondevice, a good to include a high-resolution rendering of thepersonalized artwork using the information in the data store; whereinthe good is one of a canvas, apparel item, regular surface item, andirregular surface item.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein themethod further comprises retrieving, using the data management engine,from the plurality of art objects a pre-set outline shape, a pre-setdesign element, and a pre-set medium setting.
 11. The method accordingto claim 10 wherein the method further comprises retrieving, using thedata management engine, from the plurality of art objects a pre-setoutline shape, a pre-set design element, and a pre-set medium settingfrom an art object server.
 12. The method according to claim 9 whereinthe computer program product further comprises a consumer clientconfigured in data communication with the art creation server via anetwork; the method further comprising operating, using the consumerclient, the data management engine to include in the selected artobjects at least one of a custom outline shape, a custom design element,and a custom medium setting.
 13. The method according to claim 12wherein the method further comprises operating, using the consumerclient, the data management engine to include in the selected artobjects at least one design element of a type selected from the groupconsisting of user-specified text and user-specified image, the at leastone design element defined as dynamic input.
 14. The method according toclaim 9 further comprising a consumer client configured in datacommunication with the art creation server via a network; the methodfurther comprising operating, using the consumer client, the onlineshopping engine to purchase the good.
 15. The method according to claim9 wherein each of the selected art objects is of an object type selectedfrom the group consisting of a medium setting, an outline shape, and adesign element.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein at leastone of the selected art objects comprises one of a textual object and aphoto object.